Wigan walkers raise £600 for ‘Miles for Mental Health’ challenge

VOLUNTEER walkers from a Mental Health charity have raised £600 after completing a 34-mile challenge from Wigan to Liverpool. The ‘Miles for Mental Health’ event, created by Imagine Independence, lasted across three days from 24th to 26th April, along the scenic Leeds to Liverpool Canal. Twelve walkers collected hundreds of pounds that will go towards the charity’s services in Wigan.

Faye Rudd, Wigan Vocational Adviser for Imagine Independence, said: “Everybody who took part felt really good and it was lovely to see their faces and the feeling of self-achievement was great.”

For forty years, Imagine Independence has worked with people with mental health issues and other challenges, to help them live a full and independent life.

Olga Snell, Marketing and Fundraising Manager for Imagine Independence, said: “We work with 2,000 people a year and our aims are to give people a decent independent life, which is not just constrained by mental health issues.”

The charity has services in Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, London and Merseyside, as it ensures people have a valued place in society.

Walk Organiser, Alan McCormick said he got involved to raise money and to promote the walk as a means of recovery for depression and anxiety. He added: “It’s me giving something back to the charity and as I’m doing it, it helps me too.”

“For me, walking is escapism and I would advise people to get out and do it – too much time alone in your head escalates from a small problem into a ‘fight the world’ problem and I’ve been through it, but I’m not the only one.”

Dave Aston, Peer Support Worker for Imagine Independence is hoping for more similar events in the future.

He said: “With us being a community-based charity, we want community-based ideas as well, so if somebody has got an idea where we can put a sponsored form behind it, we’re happy to have a look at it. It’s about us offering what the community wants.”